K-12
From the Acting Principal
The Term 2 Calendars to be distributed to girls in Tutorials and Junior School classes incorporates the rich diversity of experiences that MLC offers: rehearsals for major drama, music and dance performances; a week of special focus on service to community, winter team sports and outdoor education camps to highlight just a few, all scheduled in and around ongoing learning programs and their associated assessments.
This Term also continues to provide so many opportunities for parents to engage in and support their daughter’s learning journey. These include parent-teacher interviews, father-daughter breakfasts, Men of MLC House Carnival, Parents as Career and Transition Coaches, Parents’ Association meetings and a variety of specialised Support Group Meetings.
Research shows that parents who get involved in education at home have "a significant positive effect on children's achievement, even after all other factors have been taken out of the equation." For Junior School children, the impact of different levels of parental involvement is "much bigger than differences associated with variations in the quality of schools." I warmly invite parents to provide me, or the relevant Head of School, with feedback that will guide us to facilitate parent engagement. Please let us know of opportunities we’re providing that are working well and assist you to get involved. Please also signal ways you believe we can modify our practices to improve your engagement in your daughter’s education.
Terms 2 and 3 mark an exciting and important transitional period for MLC as we prepare for new leadership under our next Principal, Rebecca Cody. While I am Acting Principal, Leisa Maslin will join the College Leadership Team in the role of Acting Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School while Sue Shaw and Sue Moss will share responsibilities as Co-Acting Assistant Heads of Senior School.
Professional learning activities for staff this term will bring a strong Futures Focus to support our strategic thinking and planning.
Yvonne Palmer, Acting Principal
Winter health and hygiene etiquette
Recent information from the Health Department regarding Swine Influenza reminds schools to discuss ‘winter hygiene’ etiquette with our students. This information has been distributed to teachers who will discuss with the girls appropriate health measures at school.
As parents, you can also help by keeping your daughters home if they are unwell, and reminding them to dispose of used tissues, wash hands with soap and water, allow about one metre of space from friends who have symptoms of a cold or ‘flu, and remind the girls to cover their mouths when coughing. Please also encourage your daughters to visit the Health Centre if they're feeling feverish or unwell while at school.
In the event of a health issue such as this, it’s particularly important the College has up-to-date emergency contact details for all our students, so the College can reach emergency contacts quickly in potential quarantine situations. If the email, address or phone numbers of your daughters’ emergency contacts have recently changed, please advise Student Services of the amended details by calling 9384 4000 or email jrichardson@mlc.wa.edu.au or adalton@mlc.wa.edu.au
Relevant updates from the Health Department about Swine Influenza will be shared with MLC families via Wyvern, emails and the student daily bulletin.
Leisa Maslin, Acting Deputy Principal
Update your email address
As MLC works towards more environmentally friendly practises and embraces technology, more and more of our communications are sent to parents via email.
To ensure you receive important information from MLC, please update the College with your current email address by calling Student Services on 9384 4000 or email jrichardson@mlc.wa.edu.au or adalton@mlc.wa.edu.au
Dionne Tindale, Public Relations and Media Officer
MLC Foundation Inc. AGM
The Methodist Ladies’ College Foundation Inc. Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 6 May at 4pm, in the MLC Meeting Room.
All parents of current and past students of the College are automatically members of the MLC Foundation and are welcome to attend the meeting. Meeting papers are available for any member by contacting Executive Officer Lorica Storey on 9384 4000 or email lstorey@mlc.wa.edu.au
Lorica Storey, MLC Foundation Executive Officer
Rev Dr Ian Robertson takes up the helm
College Sunday guest speaker Reverend Dr Ian Robinson has taken up some of the responsibilities of the College Chaplain while Anne Wright enjoys long service leave during the first seven weeks of Term 2.
During Rev Wright’s absence, Rev Dr Robinson will be available for Pastoral counselling along with the Pastoral care team, Religious Educations classes and he will officiate at assemblies.
Religious Education teacher Shelley Smith will be Acting Head of Department in Anne’s absence, while Youth Worker Binh Nguyen will take Chapel for Middle and Senior Schools, and Boarders.
Junior School Chapel will be conducted by Shelley Smith and Jethro Currie.
Rev Anne Wright, Chaplain
Mentors sought for MLC girls
MLC parents working in any industry are invited to become a career mentor for a current MLC student, by sharing their knowledge, skills and experience to help a girl’s career development.
The College’s Career Mentoring program offers parents the opportunity to use their experience and insight to assist students explore a career and decide on a career path, and enable them to make a successful transition from school to further education or employment.
Students benefit from mentoring by having access to positive tole models and being better able to explore career options and pathways, and build networking skills and confidence in their decisions about the future. Mentors are able to promote their profession and make a difference to a young person’s career development, while strengthening student/alumni relations.
Mentoring will be conducted by email and may involve a one-off reply to an email question or ongoing exchanges. Mentors may also be invited to participate in activities such as breakfast meetings or small group talks.
If you have a desire to share your experience, we encourage you to register your interest by emailing jhead@mlc.wa.edu.au with your name, occupation/industry, best contact phone number and email address.
For more details about the Mentoring Program, please call Career Development Coordinator Sue Shaw on 9383 0218.
Sue Shaw, Career Development Coordinator
Generation Next
A public seminar aimed at understanding and meeting the unique health and wellbeing challenges facing generations Y & Z – and how these challenges can be met, will be held on Saturday 28 November from 6 to 10pm at the Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention Centre.
Australia’s leading experts will speak on issues such as drugs and alcohol, internet and cybersafety, sex and the media, positive parenting and mental health.
For more information visit the website at www.gennextseminars.com
Sue Shaw, Counsellor
Permission to publish your daughter's image and work
Parents are reminded the College requires parental or guardian permission to publish the image and work of all MLC girls, from Kindergarten to Year 12. While the College fully respects a parent's decision to not grant the College permission to publish, the images of all girls who don't return a completed permission to publish form will be blurred in class and tutorial photos in the annual year book, the Collegian, and they will be excluded from all promotional publications and opportunities. It would be a great shame for girls to not see themselves in print simply because the College hasn't received completed forms.
If you haven't filled out a permission to publish form for your daughter, please complete and return it to the College. It would also be helpful to check if the girls have returned their forms to Student Services for Senior School students, Middle School reception or Junior School teachers.
I am happy to discuss any issues regarding permission to publish, and can be contacted on 9383 0287 or by email at dtindale@mlc.wa.edu.au
Dionne Tindale, Public Relations and Media Officer
Dads – team up with your daughters for some friendly competition
MLC dads are reminded to register for the Inaugural Father/Daughter Men of MLC House Cup which will be held this Sunday 3 May from10.30am - 2.30pm at MLC.
In addition to a range of fun activities for dads and daughters organised by 'Life Be In it', a jumping castle and bucking bronco for the young and young at heart, and a BBQ for all, music festival favourites the Sneaky Weasel Gang will play on the day!
The cost is $20 cash per head, all inclusive, payable on the day.
Register by responding immediately to mwhite@hn.ozemail.com.au with the names of all in your family who will be attending and the year and House of your daughters.
Please join us in what is sure to be a great day!
Mark White, Men of MLC
Influence your future and that of your daughter
One evening. Five inspirational women.
Women Who Lead, an exciting new initiative of the MLC Foundation to provide young women with inspirational role models and empower them with the confidence and skills to lead in their own right, is hosting its first event to inspire prospective leaders among the MLC and wider community.
Walk in My Shoes is a rare opportunity for an up-close and personal evening with renowned female leaders including widely respected burns specialist Dr Fiona Wood, award winning author, poet and performer Lou Kelman, CEO of the Water Corporation Sue Murphy, Executive Vice President North West Shelf Venture Eve Howell and Australian Youth Ambassador to the United Nations (2008) Elizabeth Shaw.
All five speakers are recognised leaders in their respective fields and are extraordinarily fortunate to have them share their stories. This event is a must for all women and students who want to make a positive difference in our community. Bring your mother, your daughter and your friends.
Walk in My Shoes, will be held in Hadley Hall at 6.30pm on 20 May, with part proceeds going to the Partnering for their Future campaign.
Book now at www.trybooking.com For more information, go to the College website at www.mlc.wa.edu.au and click on the Women Who Lead advert on the top right of the home page.
Holly Ransom (’07), Women Who Lead
Masquerade Ball
MLC parents will soon be invited to attend an exciting masquerade ball scheduled for Saturday 1 August at the University Club of UWA.
Sponsored by the Parents’ Association, proceeds from this fund raising ball will assist the MLC Foundation to progress the College Campus Development Plan, which entails the provision of new and improved campus facilities for our girls.
Get your friends together to make up a table. Bookings will be available soon.
Start planning your masks or purchase one at a Parents’ Association auction before the ball.
Helen Dalgleish, President Parents’ Association (Formerly P&F)
Congratulations
Jessica Mitchell (Year 12) competed with distinction in the Australian Age Swimming Championships from 13 to 18 April. She placed 9th in the 200m and 400m finals, achieving second best personal times.
Yasmin Tuchaai (Year 9) was awarded the 2009 Peters Trumpet Junior Achiever Award for excellence in participation, attitude and for leadership during the 2008- 2009 State Junior Surf Titles season. She also achieved 2008/2009 Club Champion at Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Championships.
Lucy Rose (Year 7) was awarded the U12s Club Champion at Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club for the 2008/2009 season, and she won a medal at the State Junior Titles.
Annie Dobney (Year 8) and Millie Martino (Year 9) won gold at the National Water Polo Championships at Challenge Stadium playing for Dolphins White in the Under 14 competition. The girls have been training six days a week as part of the WAIS development squad.
Hannah Fairweather (Year 11), Min Jee Lee (Year 8) and Sherie Chua (Year 10) participated in the MLC in the School Teams Golf Championships. Min Jee’s impressive score of 77 earned her the girl’s individual gross prize - Min Jee is currently the youngest member of the State Golf team.
What’s On K-12
Music Support Group Meeting
Monday 4 May (6pm, Verdi Room)
Rowing Support Group Meeting
Tuesday 5 May (7pm, Meeting Room)
MLC Foundation Meeting
Wednesday 6 May (4pm, Meeting Room)
Reaching for the Summit
An inspirational evening with United Nations humanitarian and mountaineer Mark Squirrell and his extraordinary story from Arafat to Everest.
Thursday 7 May (7.30pm, Chapel, Christ Church Grammar School)
Community Support Association Meeting
Thursday 7 May (8.45am, Meeting Room)
Mothers’ Day
Sunday 10 May
Parents’ Association Meeting
Wednesday 13 May (7pm, Meeting Room)
Cabaret Night
Friday 15 May (7.30pm, Dining Room)
Bindaring Clothing Sale for Australian Red Cross
Doors Open: Jumble 9am, Boutique 10am and Auction 11am
Free parking and entry
Proceeds to ‘Save-A-Mate’ drug and alcohol harm minimisation program for young people
Saturday 23 May (Claremont Showgrounds, Gate 1)
Junior School
From the Acting Head of Junior School
It was wonderful seeing all the smiling faces as the girls returned to school this week. The College seems so empty without the noise and bustle of our students. It wasn’t long though, before the building came alive and the sounds of the girls echoed through the corridors.
Over the holidays, there have been some physical changes to Barclay House. The Year 6 classrooms have been fitted out with the latest technology using digital projectors, speakers and E-beams. An interactive whiteboard has been installed into the Year 1 room and six laptops computers are now easily accessible in Pre-Primary and Year 1 rooms. The After School Care facility has been improved with the installation of a sink and kitchen cabinets.
On the staffing front, while Jenny Borrill is on sick leave for the next six weeks, Tracey McDonald will be her replacement. Due to illness, Education Support teacher Emma Lipscombe will also be absent from school for the next two weeks. Robyn Hill will take over her teaching load for this period. Our thoughts and prayers are with both sick teachers, and we wish them a speedy recovery.
Our wonderful Pre-Primary teaching assistant Nicole Brown will be absent for the first week of school as her father recently passed away. The MLC Junior School community sends condolences to Mrs Brown.
It is with pleasure that I announce both Jo Halliday and Shannon Rose are pregnant. We are delighted with this news and wish them all the best. It is anticipated that Mrs Halliday will commence her maternity leave at the mid-term break in Term 3 and Ms Rose a few weeks later. Arrangements have already been put in place to find a suitable replacement for both teachers.
More good news - Andrea Calcott has now become Mrs Cook and fortunately, 5C will remain 5C! I would like to congratulate Mrs Cook on her marriage and wish her and her husband Mal all the best.
This is a busy term, culminating in the Junior School Heather Lamont Festival on the last day of Term 2. Notable events throughout the term include the Junior School disco on Friday 22 May, NAPLAN testing for Years 3 and 5 in Week 3 and the IPSHA Performing Arts festival in June. Information about these events will be published shortly.
There will also be details on an after-school typing class, parent workshops on the use of technology and cyber bullying, and feedback about the parent coffee mornings held during Term 1.
As always, my door is open and I love to hear your thoughts and opinions. I am committed to striving towards our College’s goal to be an exemplary, innovative centre of learning and ‘The school of choice for girls’.
Michael Brown, Acting Head of Junior School
Junior School leaders
Congratulations to the following Year 6 girls for being selected for leadership roles.
Junior School Student Council
Anabelle Alberghini
Katherine Lui
Charlotte Bradley
Dana Throssell
Student Representative Council
Abigael Sula
Shanya Rajakaruna
Louise Eckert
Junior School House Captains
Athens - Tara Kotula, Rebecca Love
Corinth - Imogen Sweeney, Khushboo Ruhal
Olympia - Chloe Hill, Mercy Cornwall
Rome - Clare Xie, Lucy Wells
Sparta - Caris McClements, Alex Wulff
Troy - Caitlin Gava, Eleanor St George
What’s On Junior School
Junior School Quality Learning Time
Monday 4 May
Mothers’ Day Afternoon Tea, Years 1 & 2, (Café)
Tuesday 5 May
Year 6 Excursion to Tamala Park Recycling Plant
Wednesday 6 May
Assembly (2pm, Hadley Hall)
Mothers’ Day Breakfast K & PP, Years 3 & 4, (Café)
Friday 8 May
NAPLAN Testing, Years 3 and 5
Tuesday 12 to Thursday 14 May
Chapel
Friday 15 May
Middle School
From the Acting Head of Middle School
Welcome back to school for Term 2.
Winter uniforms in 29 degree weather! It’s hard to believe it is May and that you can still walk around in shorts and a T-shirt even after the sun goes down.
Winter sports are in full swing with training and games. Early starts are on the cards for the rowers and our netballers will be active on Saturdays. ‘It’s good to be back at school,’ I here you all say! Back into the pick-up and drop-off routine.
Thank you to everyone for making the opening of the Middle School and the farewell to Stephen Lee’ a very enjoyable event. Wasn’t the didgeridoo playing just amazing? Thank you also for the overwhelming support in helping us get settled in the new building last term.
Parent morning tea meetings
In the next Wyvern, I will publish dates for Term 2s morning chat sessions. Both Jan Guilfoyle and I appreciated the discussions we had with parents last term.
Year 9 Parent/Teacher meetings
Year 9 Parent/Teacher meetings are on this Wednesday 6 May. Your daughters have received the meeting request forms and you should have your allocated times delivered or emailed by Tuesday morning. Please be prompt as interview times are very tight. Interviews will take place on the Year 9 level of Middle School. Please contact Kristine Carr on 9383 8800 or email kcarr@mlc.wa.edu.au with any queries.
National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) – Literacy and Numeracy testing
Year 7 and 9 girls will be taking five NAPLAN tests from 12 to14 May. The tests comprise of Language Conventions, Writing, Reading, Numeracy – calculator and Numeracy - non-calculator.
Over the next few weeks, the girls will be given directions by their teachers on how to approach these tests. The best physical preparation that can achieve is a good night’s sleep over the consecutive testing days.
For more details about the testing, go to http://naplan.edu.au/
Dancesport
Year 7 and 8 girls are invited to participate in a co-ed Dance Sports Program with boys from Wesley College. The program starts this Thursday form 6.30 to 8.30 pm at Wesley College. The last three sessions will be held at MLC. The cost for six sessions is $86. For more details, please contact Head of Year 8 Suzy Bayne on 9383 8820 or email sbayne@mlc.wa.edu.au MLC and Wesley staff will supervise the sessions.
To all of the College’s mothers, Happy Mother’s Day for next weekend.
Bruce Wilkins, Acting Head of Middle School
What’s On Middle School
Year 9 Parent teacher interviews
Wednesday 6 May (Year 9 level, Middle School)
Year 8 Father Daughter Breakfast
Tuesday 7 May (6.45am, Dining Room)
Middle School Assembly
Years 7-8 Dancesport (6.30pm, Wesley College)
Thursday 7 May (, Hadley Hall)
Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN Testing
Year 8 Mother's Luncheon
Phillips Food and Wine, 6 Napoleon St, Cottesloe (12 noon)
Cost is $30 per person with a choice of Alvins Chicken Nasi Goring or Mushroom Risotto.
RSVP by Friday, 8 May (by end of school) to Greg Schicker on 9383 0261 or email gschicker@mlc.wa.edu.au or Meg Goonatillake be emailing harmeg@mac.com
Tuesday 12 May
Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN Testing
Wednesday 13 May
Years 7 and 8 Dancesport
Thursday 14 May (6.30pm, Wesley College)
Coming events:
Methodist Ladies’ College 25 Year Rowing Reunion
Saturday 23 May (5.30pm – 8.30pm, Hadley Hall)
Year 7-12
Mathematics Achievements
Twelve dedicated students from Year 8 to 10 proudly represented MLC in the annual Have Sum Fun interschool problem solving competition which was organised by the Mathematics Association of Western Australia.
The girls faced four rounds of problem solving questions, ranging from easy to very challenging. The teamwork displayed by the girls was outstanding, with MLC placing equal 8th and 18th out of the 41 teams competing. The girls’ results may have been helped by the chocolate and other ‘brain food’ they nibbled throughout the evening!
The event was very competitive, challenging, and fun, and it was a pleasure to watch our students rejoice as they discovered the number of correct solutions they achieved for each round.
Representing MLC in the competition were Year 8 to 10 students Susannah Liu, Sakura Kajimura, Ann Ly, Claudia Sampson, Cecilia Kim and Davina Pringle, Amy Ward, Jodie Koh, Shawish Ong, Katelyn Ivulich, Hannah McDonald, Rachel Hollingshead.
Jennifer Potier and Michelle Kathriarachchi, Mathematics teachers
Free program for single mums with teenagers
Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia are offering single mothers with teenage children cost free participation in a program designed to promote and develop healthy and positive family relationships through improved communication, reduced parent-teen conflict and enhanced self-esteem.
The program, Relationships After Divorce or Separation, will be presented by qualified and experienced psychologists and child development staff commencing in Semester 2.
For more information or to book a place on the program, call Corrina Fiorentino on 9360 6733 or email corrina.fiorentino@murdoch.edu.au
Senior School
From the Acting Head of Senior School
Welcome back to the start of another exciting and busy period of the year. I hope the girls have all returned refreshed and ready to engage in the many challenges and activities on offer this term.
I remind all Year 11 and 12 students and parents the exam block is fast approaching and a concerted and consistent approach to study should be well and truly in place to ensure a positive learning experience. After-school Academic Coaching is available on campus and the girls are encouraged to use this time to fine-tune their understanding of concepts or material covered earlier in the year.
On a very different note, recent information from the Health Department regarding Swine Influenza reminds us to discuss ‘winter hygiene’ etiquette with our students. This information has been distributed to teachers who will discuss with the girls appropriate health measures at school.
As parents, you can also help by keeping your daughters home if they are unwell, and reminding them to dispose of used tissues, wash hands with soap and water, allow about one metre of space from friends who have symptoms of a cold or ‘flu, and remind the girls to cover their mouths when coughing. Please also encourage your daughters to visit the Health Centre if they're feeling feverish or unwell while at school.
In the event of a health issue such as this, it’s particularly important the College has up-to-date emergency contact details for all our students, so the College can reach emergency contacts quickly in potential quarantine situations. If the email, address or phone numbers of your daughters’ emergency contacts have recently changed, please advise Student Services of the amended details by calling 9384 4000 or email jrichardson@mlc.wa.edu.au or adalton@mlc.wa.edu.au
Relevant updates from the Health Department about Swine Influenza will be shared with MLC families via Wyvern, emails and the student daily bulletin.
Leisa Maslin, Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School
Year 10 girls chosen for leadership program
Congratulations to Emma Court and Jessica Blades (Year 10) for being selected to represent MLC at the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN). This leadership program recognises ‘students who are community minded and who demonstrate the potential for involvement in community programs’.
Congratulations to Klara Gray, Ann Ly, Rachel O’Dea, Jessie Perkins, Alana Rinaldi and Natalie Street who have been selected to participate in the Cyber Friendly Student Reference Committee 2009. The Committee is part of a comprehensive study into cyber bullying prevention supported by the State government and conducted by the Child Health Promotion Research Centre. The purpose of the committee is to ensure young people provide input to new strategies that will reduce this increasing problem.
Tanya Shadbolt, Head of Year 10
Year 10 Parent Teacher Interviews
Year 10 Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 13 May to enable you to discuss your daughter’s progress with her teacher. It may also be an opportunity to discuss recommendations for Year 11 subjects and receive some guidance on any areas that need extra work.
Your daughter is most welcome to make the most of the after school tutoring being offered on Mondays to Thursdays each week. The details of this were emailed to all Year 10 parents as part of the Career Alert in the first week of Term 2.
Subject Selection Process for Year 11, 2010
An overview of the Year 11 subject selection process is provided below.
Weeks 8 – 10, Term 2
• Presentations outlining Year 11 courses are given to all students during class time by individual learning areas.
• Subject selection information and booklets are distributed to students in Career Development classes.
• Subject selection form and teacher recommendations are posted home with your daughter’s Semester 1 Report.
Weeks 2 – 4, Term 3
• All Year 10 students attend a subject selection interview with the Counsellors. Parent attendance is welcome and encouraged.
• Subject selection forms are to be returned to Student Services by 14 August.
Sue Shaw – Career Development Coordinator
Girls impress at Claremont Fair
MLC has received positive feedback from Claremont Fair Chairman and current MLC parent, Harry Nesbitt, on the help provided by MLC students in operating the community event held late last term.
Dr Nesbitt said the girls were a pleasure to have on the team, and he received only positive feedback from Rotary members about their contribution. He made special mention of the tireless efforts of Year 10 students Emma Court, Matilda Stoneman and Jodie Koh.
The girls were able to claim the time they spent working at the fair towards their compulsory community service hours.
Tanya Shadbolt, Head of Year 10
Cash prizes for top students
The Society and Environment Department is pleased to announce the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia will be sponsoring prizes for the top MLC Year 11 Accounting and Economics students this year. The winning students will each receive a trophy and a cheque for $100.
David Ford, Head of Society & Environment
What’s On Senior School
Year 12 Drama Productions, MS Building (Lunchtime)
Music Support Group Meeting, Verdi Room (6pm)
Monday 4 May
Year 12 Drama Productions, MS Building (Lunchtime)
Rowing Support Meeting, (6pm, Meeting Room)
Tuesday 5 May
Year 12 Senior Hockey and Netball (Round 1)
Wednesday 6 May
Year 9/10 Netball and Hockey (Round 1)
Fremantle Eisteddford commences
Year 12 Drama Productions, (Middle School, lunchtime)
Community Support Association (8.45am, Meeting Room)
Thursday 7 May
Year 12 Drama Productions, (Middle School, lunchtime)
Friday 8 May
Senior Netball & Hockey (Round 2)
P&F Association Meeting, (7pm, Meeting Room)
Year 10 Parent/Teacher Interviews, (Middle School entry level, 6 - 9.30pm)
Wednesday 13 May
Year 9 & 10 Netball & Hockey (Round 2)
Senior School Assembly, (11.45am, Hadley Hall)
Thursday 14 May
Year 12 Semester 1 LOTE Oral Exams
Saturday 16 May
Upcoming dates to mark in your calendar
Methodist Ladies’ College 25 Year Rowing Reunion
Saturday 23 May (5.30pm – 8.30pm, Hadley Hall)
Year 10 Boarders Parent/Teacher Interviews, (Afternoon, Meeting Room)
Thursday 28 May
Year 12 Exams
Monday 18 to Thursday 28 May
Year 11 Exams
Tuesday 2 June to Friday 12 June
All Year 11 and 12 exams will be held on Level 4, Sumner Building
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